System and method for a multi-channel antenna system

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are described for combining digital and analog beamsteering in a channelized antenna array. In some examples, a method can include receiving one or more signals at each of a plurality of groups of antenna elements, each group of antenna elements defining a respective channel from a plurality of channels, and steering, by each respective channel and using analog steering, the one or more signals in a respective direction to yield a steered analog signal pattern. The method can further include converting the steered analog signal pattern associated with each respective channel into a respective digital signal and, based on the respective digital signal, generating, using digital steering, digital signal patterns steered within the steered analog signal pattern associated with the respective digital signal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. Non-Provisional patent applicationSer. No. 16/129,136, filed on Sep. 12, 2018, entitled “COMPACT RADARSYSTEM” (Attorney Docket: 157-0013), which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/557,726, filed on Sep. 12, 2017,entitled “COMPACT RADAR SYSTEM”, the contents of which are herebyexpressly incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present technology pertains to radar technologies, and morespecifically to a multi-channel antenna design.

BACKGROUND

Radio signals produced by radar technologies can vary in terms ofclarity and completeness, which can affect the performance quality andaccuracy of the radar system. Many times, signals sent or received by aradar system can create or experience signal noise, clutter, jamming,etc., further degrading the performance of the radar system. Moreover,the detection range and field of view (FOV) of radar systems are oftenlimited, resulting in reduced awareness of the environment andsurrounding objects. In some cases, beamforming and beamsteeringtechniques can be implemented by a radar system to improve theperformance of the radar system. Beamforming and beamsteering allow aradar system to tailor the shape and direction of antenna beams in orderto target certain objects, avoid unwanted targets, or limit signal noiseand clutter.

Beamforming and beamsteering can be accomplished using digital or analogtechniques, both of which have different tradeoffs. For example, digitalbeamsteering can provide a larger instantaneous field of view for agiven aperture than analog beamsteering, as it allows data to becollected and subsequently used for steering. However, digitalbeamsteering can be expensive—particularly when a larger aperture isneeded—as it generally requires more hardware for a large amount ofchannels, and can impose a heavy computational burden which oftenrequires more powerful computing devices. On the other hand, analogbeamsteering can implement a large amount of channels formed usinganalog arrays and thereby provide cost, power, and complexity savings.Unfortunately, the benefits of analog beamsteering often come at theexpense of performance and quality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and otheradvantages and features can be obtained, a more particular descriptionwill be rendered by reference to specific implementations thereof whichare illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that thesedrawings depict only example implementations of the disclosure and arenot therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, theprinciples herein will be described and explained with additionalspecificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example architecture for a multi-channel RX arraysystem 100, in accordance with some examples;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example design of channel patterns and beamshapes, in accordance with some examples;

FIG. 3 illustrates a chart plotting example patterns generated by amulti-channel RX array system, in accordance with some examples;

FIG. 4 illustrates example patterns generated by a multi-channel RXarray system, in accordance with some examples;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example configuration of a TX array system forsteering and transmitting signals, in accordance with some examples;

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate example array configurations of antennaelements, in accordance with some examples;

FIG. 6C illustrates a rectangular grid depicting an exampleconfiguration of antenna elements in a four element rectangular channel;

FIG. 6D illustrates a rectangular grid depicting an exampleconfiguration of antenna elements in an eight element rectangularchannel;

FIG. 6E illustrates a rectangular grid depicting an exampleconfiguration of antenna elements in a twelve element rectangularchannel;

FIG. 6F illustrates a rectangular grid depicting an exampleconfiguration of antenna elements in a sixteen element rectangularchannel;

FIG. 6G illustrates a rectangular grid depicting an exampleconfiguration of antenna elements in a twenty element rectangularchannel;

FIG. 6H illustrates a rectangular grid depicting an exampleconfiguration of antenna elements in a twenty-four element rectangularchannel;

FIG. 6I illustrates a triangular grid depicting an example configurationof antenna elements in a four element triangular channel;

FIG. 6J illustrates a triangular grid depicting an example configurationof antenna elements in an eight element triangular channel;

FIG. 6K illustrates a triangular grid depicting an example configurationof antenna elements in a twelve element triangular channel;

FIG. 6L illustrates a triangular grid depicting an example configurationof antenna elements in a sixteen element triangular channel;

FIG. 6M illustrates a triangular grid depicting an example configurationof antenna elements in a twenty element triangular channel;

FIG. 6N illustrates a triangular grid depicting an example configurationof antenna elements in a twenty-four element triangular channel;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example method for combining digital and analogbeamsteering in a channelized antenna array, in accordance with someexamples; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a computer system architecture for an examplecomputing device which can be used to implement computing operations, inaccordance with some examples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in detail below.While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understoodthat this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled inthe relevant art will recognize that other components and configurationsmay be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.Thus, the following description and drawings are illustrative and arenot to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are describedto provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, incertain instances, well-known or conventional details are not describedin order to avoid obscuring the description.

References to one or an embodiment in the present disclosure can referto the same embodiment or any disclosed embodiment. For example,reference to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment” or “some embodiments”means that any features, concepts, structures, and/or characteristicsdescribed in connection with such embodiment(s) are included in at leastsuch embodiment(s) of the disclosure, but are not limited to suchembodiment(s) and can indeed be included in any other embodiment(s) ofthe disclosure. The appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “inan embodiment” or “in some embodiments” in various places in thedisclosure are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment(s),nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of otherembodiments.

The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinarymeanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in thespecific context where each term is used. Unless otherwise defined,technical and scientific terms used herein have the meaning as commonlyunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosurepertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, includingdefinitions and description will control.

Alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of theterms discussed herein, and no special significance should be placedupon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. In somecases, synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or moresynonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms.

The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples ofany terms discussed herein is illustrative only, and is not intended tofurther limit the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exampleterm. Note that titles or subtitles may be used in the examples forconvenience of a reader, which in no way should limit the scope of thedisclosure.

Without intent to limit the scope of the disclosure, examples ofinstruments, apparatus, methods and their related results according toembodiments of the present disclosure are given below. However, thedisclosure is not limited to the examples or embodiments described inthis specification. Additional features and advantages of the disclosurewill be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will beobvious from the description, or can be learned by practice of theprinciples disclosed herein. The features and advantages of thedisclosure can be realized and obtained by means of the instruments,elements and techniques particularly pointed out in the appended claims.These and other features of the disclosure will become more fullyapparent from the following description and appended claims, and/or canbe learned by the practice of the principles set forth herein.

Overview

Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable media forcombining digital and analog beamsteering in a channelized antennaarray. The multi-channel antenna design and steering techniquesdescribed herein can provide significant savings in the size, weight,power and cost (SWaP-C) of antennas, as well as a larger instantaneousfield of view (FOV), high update rates, and better antenna coverage andcross-section (RCS) performance. For example, the combination of digitaland analog beamforming and beamsteering techniques implemented by themulti-channel antenna design herein can increase signal efficiency andaccuracy while suppressing noise, clutter, and jamming. Themulti-channel antenna design can isolate or null certain signalreflections to avoid noise, error, and interference.

In some aspects, a method is provided for implementing a multi-channelantenna array configured to perform a combination of digital and analogbeamsteering. An example method can include receiving one or moresignals at each of a plurality of groups of antenna elements, each groupof antenna elements defining a respective channel from a plurality ofchannels, and steering, using analog steering, a respective signalpattern generated by each respective channel based on the one or moresignals, the respective signal pattern being steered in a respectivedirection to yield a steered analog signal pattern.

The example method can further include converting the steered analogsignal pattern associated with each respective channel into a respectivedigital signal and, based on the respective digital signal, generating,using digital steering, one or more steered digital signal patterns, theone or more steered digital signal patterns being steered within thesteered analog signal pattern associated with the respective digitalsignal.

In some aspects, a system is provided for implementing a multi-channelantenna array configured to perform a combination of digital and analogbeamsteering. An example system can include a plurality of groups ofantenna elements configured to receive one or more signals at each ofthe plurality of groups of antenna elements, where each group of antennaelements defines a respective channel from a plurality of channels andeach respective channel is configured to generate a respective signalpattern based on the one or more signals and steer the respective signalpattern in a respective direction using analog steering to yield asteered analog signal pattern.

The example system can further include one or more processing elementsconfigured to convert the steered analog signal pattern associated witheach respective channel into a respective digital signal and, based onthe respective digital signal, generate, using digital steering, one ormore steered digital signal patterns. The one or more steered digitalsignal patterns can be steered within the steered analog signal patternassociated with the respective digital signal.

In some cases, generating the one or more steered digital signalpatterns can include based on the respective digital signal associatedwith at least one of the plurality of channels, steering one or morenulls in one or more directions associated with a source of interferenceand/or an unwanted target, and steering a plurality of digital signalsassociated with a set of channels from the plurality of channels. Insome examples, the one or more directions can be at least partly withinthe steered analog signal pattern, and the plurality of digital signalscan be steered in one or more different directions associated with oneor more targets.

In some implementations, at least one of the plurality of digitalsignals and/or the one or more nulls can be steered based on datacollected via at least one of the plurality of channels. In some cases,at least a portion of the data can be collected from at least one of theone or more signals received at each of the plurality of groups ofantenna elements. Moreover, each respective channel can include a groupof antenna elements, phase shifters and/or amplifier elements, and eachantenna element from the group of antenna elements can be associatedwith a phase shifter and/or at least one amplifier element. The at leastone amplifier element can include, for example, a low-noise amplifierand/or a variable-gain amplifier.

In some aspects, receiving the one or more signals can include receivinga signal at each antenna element associated with each respectivechannel, and steering the respective signal pattern can includeapplying, at each respective channel and to each signal received at eachantenna element, the low-noise amplifier associated with the antennaelement to yield a first respective modified signal; applying, at eachrespective channel and to the first respective modified signal, thephase shifter associated with the antenna element to yield a secondrespective modified signal; applying, to the second respective modifiedsignal, the variable-gain amplifier associated with the antenna elementto yield a third respective modified signal; and performing a summationof the third respective modified signal associated with each antennaelement to yield an output representing the steered analog signalpattern.

In some aspects, generating one or more steered digital signal patternscan include generating a plurality of steered digital beams, with eachof the plurality of steered digital beams being associated with one ormore of the plurality of channels and each of the plurality of steereddigital beams being steered in a different direction within the steeredanalog signal pattern.

In some cases, the plurality of channel patterns can have a tiledarrangement such that all of the plurality of channel patterns fittogether within the steered analog signal pattern without overlapping.Moreover, in some implementations, at least some of the plurality ofchannel patterns can have a circular shape, a partly circular shape, asame shape, a tillable shape, one or more different shapes, a diamondshape, an elliptical shape and/or a tiled arrangement. Also, in someimplementations, the plurality of channels can include at least threechannels.

In some aspects, the plurality of groups of antenna elements and theplurality of channels can be part of a radar system. Moreover, in somecases, each group of antenna elements (and each respective channel) caninclude at least two different antenna elements, for example.

In some aspects, steering the one or more signals in the respectivedirection to yield the steered analog signal pattern can includesteering one or more nulls in one or more directions associated with atleast one of a source of interference and an unwanted target, the one ormore directions being at least partly within the steered analog signalpattern; and steering a plurality of analog signals associated with aset of channels from the plurality of channels, the plurality of analogsignals being steered in one or more different directions associatedwith one or more targets.

Moreover, in some examples, steering at least one of the plurality ofanalog signals and the one or more nulls can be based on data collectedvia at least one of the plurality of channels, and at least a portion ofthe data can be collected from at least one of the one or more signalsreceived at each of the plurality of groups of antenna elements.

Description of Example Embodiments

The present technology will be described in the following disclosure asfollows. The disclosure begins with a discussion of example systems,configurations and techniques for implementing a multi-channel antennaarray configured to perform a combination of digital and analogbeamsteering, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 6. A discussion of an examplemethod for performing a combination of digital and analog beamsteeringusing a multi-channel antenna array, as shown in FIG. 7, will thenfollow. The discussion concludes with a description of an examplecomputing device architecture, as illustrated in FIG. 8, includingexample hardware components that can be implemented by radar systems andcomputing devices.

The disclosure now turns to FIG. 1, which illustrates an examplearchitecture for a multi-channel RX array system 100. In some examples,the multi-channel RX array system 100 can be a receiver (RX) antennasystem. Moreover, the multi-channel RX array system 100 can includemultiple channels 102, 104, 106. Each of the channels 102, 104, 106 caninclude a group of antenna elements (e.g., 112A-N, 120A-N, 128A-N), agroup of low-noise amplifiers or LNAs (e.g., 114A-N, 122A-N, 130A-N), agroup of phase shifters (e.g., 116A-N, 124A-N, 132A-N), and/or a groupof variable gain amplifiers or VGAs (e.g., 118A-N, 126A-N, 134A-N).

For example, channel 102 can include antenna elements 112A-N, low-noiseamplifiers 114A-N, phase shifters 116A-N, and variable gain amplifiers118A-N; channel 104 can include antenna elements 120A-N, low-noiseamplifiers 122A-N, phase shifters 124A-N, and variable gain amplifiers126A-N; and channel 106 can include antenna elements 128A-N, low-noiseamplifiers 130A-N, phase shifters 132A-N, and variable gain amplifiers134A-N.

Each of the channel 102, 104, 106 can perform analog beamsteering tosteer signals received by the antenna elements (112A-N, 120A-N, 128A-N)associated with that channel. For example, the respective antennaelements (112A-N, 120A-N, 128A-N) in each channel (102, 104, 106) canrespectively receive one or more signals, such as radar returns, and userespective LNAs (114A-N, 122A-N, 130A-N), phase shifters (116A-N,124A-N, 132A-N), and VGAs (118A-N, 126A-N, 134A-N) from the channelassociated with the respective antenna elements to perform analogsteering and generate an analog beam or signal pattern based on thereceived signals.

Each antenna element (112A-N, 120A-N, 128A-N) in each channel (102, 104,106) can be associated with a specific LNA, phase shifter, and VGA,which can implemented to steer (using analog steering) one or moresignals received by each antenna element in each channel and generate ananalog signal pattern. For example, antenna elements 112A, 112B, and112N in channel 102 can respectively be associated with LNAs 114A, 114B,and 114N, phase shifters 116A, 116B, 116N, and VGAs 118A, 118B, and118N. Similarly, antenna elements 120A, 120B, and 120N in channel 104can respectively be associated with LNAs 122A, 122B, and 122N, phaseshifters 124A, 124B, 124N, and VGAs 126A, 126B, and 126N; and antennaelements 128A, 128B, and 128N in channel 106 can respectively beassociated with LNAs 130A, 130B, and 130N, phase shifters 132A, 132B,132N, and VGAs 134A, 134B, and 134N.

The LNAs (114A-N, 122A-N, 130A-N) can amplify the one or more signalsreceived from their associated antenna elements (112A-N, 120A-N,128A-N). For example, each LNA (114A-N, 122A-N, 130A-N) can receive asignal from an associated antenna element (112A-N, 120A-N, 128A-N) andboost the signal to a particular level to overcome any noise of thefollowing circuits or components (e.g., variable phase shifters 116A-N,124A-N, 132A-N and VGAs 118A-N, 126A-N, 134A-N).

The phase shifters (116A-N, 124A-N, 132A-N) can receive the boostedanalog signals from the LNAs (114A-N, 122A-N, 130A-N) and performinvariable phase shifting or invariable time delays to the boostedanalog signals to generate respective analog steering signal patterns.The signal pattern from each channel 102, 104, 106 can be steered in aparticular direction. In some cases, the signal pattern for each channel102, 104, 106 can be steered in a same direction to generate a channelpattern reflected by the steering of each channel in the same direction.

The VGAs (118A-N, 126A-N, 134A-N) can then adjust the gain of the outputsignals from the phase shifters (116A-N, 124A-N, 132A-N) to compensatefor variable losses and/or match the signals to a full-scale input ofanalog-to-digital converters (ADCs) 108A-N in the multi-channel RX arraysystem 100. The ADCs 108A-N can receive the output analog (steered)signal pattern from the channels 102, 104, 106 and digitize the signalsto generate digitized signals 140A-N representing the analog signal orchannel pattern produced by the channels 102, 104, 106.

Each channel (102, 104, 106) can be associated with a specific ADC(108A-N) configured to digitize the output analog signal from thatchannel. For example, channel 102 can be associated with ADC 108A, whichcan digitize signals from channel 102; channel 104 can be associatedwith ADC 108B, which can digitize signals from channel 104; and channel106 can be associated with ADC 108N, which can digitize signals fromchannel 106.

The digitized signals 140A-N are then processed by a digital signalprocessing system 110 configured to digitally steer the digitizedsignals 140A-N and generate an output digital beam 160 steered in anyparticular direction. In some cases, the output digital beam 160 can besteered within or on top of the channel pattern produced by the channels102, 104, 106. In some cases, the output digital beam 160 and/or thechannel pattern can have a circular or pseudo-circular shape. Moreover,in some cases, the output digital beam 160 can have a same or similarshape as other output beams generated by the multi-channel RX arraysystem 100, which can be tiled within the channel pattern. For example,the output digital beam 160 can have the same or similar shape as otheroutput beams, all of which can be tiled (via beamforming/beamsteering)to fit together within the channel pattern without leaving gaps and/oroverlapping.

The digital signal processing system 110 can include, for example, oneor more circuits, one or more processing devices, one or more printedcircuit boards, one or more controllers, one or more software and/orhardware modules, etc. For example, the digital signal processing system110 can include a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signalprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and/or thelike. Moreover, the digital signal processing system 110 can implementbeamformers configured to digitally steer the digitized signals 140A-Nand generate the output digital beam 160.

The digital signal processing system 110 can form and steer the outputdigital beam 160 by applying a phase shifting value and/or time delay tothe digitized signals 140A-N. For example, in some cases, the digitalsignal processing system 110 can combine and/or apply respectivesteering and correction coefficients to the digitized signals 140A-N togenerate the output digital beam 160.

The output digital beam 160 can correspond to one or more channels (102,104, 106) and can have a particular digital signal pattern. In somecases, the digital signal processing system 110 can steer the outputdigital beam 160 in any particular direction to generate a particulardigital signal pattern for the channels 102, 104, and/or 106, which canbe directed or aimed at one or more targets (or objectives), such as anintended target object(s), an unwanted target object or signal source,an interference source, etc. For example, the digital signal processingsystem 110 can generate output digital beams (e.g., 160) with differentsignal patterns for the different channels 102, 104, 106 by steering theoutput digital beams in different directions.

To illustrate, digital signal processing system 110 can generate adigital beam (160) for channel 102, which can be directed towards anintended target, such as an aircraft or any other object. The digitalsignal processing system 110 can generate a digital beam (160) forchannel 104, which can be directed towards an unwanted target, such asan aircraft or any other object, and digital signal processing system110 can generate a digital beam (160) for channel 106 using nullsteering to cancel or null a source of noise, clutter, interference,etc.

In this way, the multi-channel RX array system 100 can perform analogsteering to generate a channel or signal pattern(s) for one or moreanalog signals received by the multi-channel RX array system 100, anddigitally steer a digital beam (e.g., 160) produced for one or morechannels (102, 104, 106) in a particular direction within the overallchannel or signal pattern(s) generated for the one or more analogsignals received by the multi-channel RX array system 100. In somecases, the output digital beam(s) associated with the different channels102, 104, 106 can fit within the overall channel or signal pattern(s)generated for the one or more analog signals. Moreover, the outputdigital beam 160 can be more narrow than the analog signal pattern,which can allow the multi-channel RX array system 100 to see farther outand in a greater number of directions.

The combination of analog and digital beamsteering can allow themulti-channel RX array system 100 to generate an analog channel patternwith greater coverage, and digitally steer beams (using the differentchannels 102, 104, 106) within the channel pattern and/or over the solidangle of the channel pattern to achieve a larger/wider instantaneousfield of view for detections and/or angle of arrivals, improveddirectivity, a reduction or nulling of unwanted signals or conditions(e.g., noise, interference, error, clutter, unwanted objects, etc.), agreater maximum range of detection for a longer period of time, etc.Moreover, the use of digital steering can allow the multi-channel RXarray system 100 to look in all or a large number of directions for alonger period of time, while the use of analog steering can providecost, power and complexity savings, while achieving better performancewith a smaller number of channels.

The multiple channels 102, 104, 106 allow the multi-channel RX arraysystem 100 to operate in clutter, nulling out clutter that appears inthe same range and doppler bins as a target of interest and enabling themulti-channel RX array system 100 to keep the signal for the target ofinterest clean. In some cases, more nulls may be needed in the azimuthcase or dimension, which can have two directions in which clutter cansimultaneously appear in the same range and doppler bin, as opposed tothe elevation case or dimension, where there is typically only one pointwhere clutter will enter a certain range and doppler bin. Accordingly,in some cases, the multi-channel RX array system 100 may implement morechannels in the azimuth dimension than the horizontal dimension.

For example, assume the number n of nulls that can be steered along anaxis is equal to c−1, where c represents the number of channels alongthe axis. This means that at least three channels may be needed in theazimuth case to null out clutter. However, in some cases, increasing thenumber of channels can result in more effective nulling and cluttercancellation. Accordingly, in some configurations, the multi-channel RXarray system 100 may implement more than three channels.

Moreover, the multi-channel design of the multi-channel RX array system100, where each channel (102, 104, 106) has a plurality of antennaelements, can be tiled so the channel shapes can fit together withoutleaving gaps and/or overlapping, and while in some cases having the sameor similar shape. Further, in some cases, with the weighting of signals,the arrangement of the array may be circular or partly circular.Accordingly, in such cases, the overall Rx pattern can be designed to becircular or partly circular. In some cases, some or all of the channels102, 104, 106 can have a diamond shape, an elliptical shape, a tiledarrangement, a circular shape, a partly circular shape, a tillableshape, a same shape, one or more different shapes, and/or any othershape.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example design 200 of beam shapes 206, 208, 210,212, 214, 216, 218. In this example, the beam shapes 206, 208, 210 aregenerated at time t₁ and fit within channel pattern 204A. In some cases,the channel pattern 204A can represent an overall or summedmulti-channel pattern generated by the multi-channel RX array system100. As illustrated, the design 200 allows the different beam shapes206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 216, 218 to fit within the channel patterns204A-N without leaving gaps and/or overlapping.

The beam shapes 206, 208, 210 can represent signal patterns or shapesgenerated using the different channels 102, 104, 106. For example, thebeam shape 206 can represent a signal or pattern generated using channel102, the beam shape 208 can represent a signal or pattern generatedusing channel 104, and the beam shape 210 can represent a signal orpattern generated using channel 106.

Similarly, the beam shapes 212, 214, 216, 218 can represent signalpatterns generated using the different channels 102, 104, 106. Forexample, the beam shape 212 can represent a signal or pattern generatedat time t₂ using channel 102, 104, or 106; the beam shape 214 canrepresent a signal or pattern generated at time t₂ using channel 102,104, or 106; the beam shape 216 can represent a signal or patterngenerated at time t₃ using channel 102, 104, or 106; and the beam shape218 can represent a signal or pattern generated at time t₃ using channel102, 104, or 106.

In some cases, the beam shapes 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 216, 218 and/orthe channel patterns 204A-N can have a same or similar shape. Forexample, in some configurations, the beam shapes 206, 208, 210, 212,214, 216, 218 and/or the channel patterns 204A-N can have a samecircular or pseudo/partly circular shape. Moreover, the beam shapes 206,208, 210, 212, 214, 216, 218 can fit (or can be tiled) within thechannel patterns 204A-N, enabling greater signal directivity and alarger instantaneous field of view within the overall channel pattern.

FIG. 3 illustrates a chart 300 plotting example patterns generated bythe multi-channel RX array system 100 along a first axis 310representing angle values and a second axis 312 representing magnitudes.The multi-channel RX array system 100 can generate the channel pattern302 using analog beamforming, and form the digital beams 304-308 overthe channel pattern 302 using digital beamforming. As illustrated, thedigital beams 304-308 are more narrow than the shapes of the channelpattern 302, allowing the multi-channel RX array system 100 to seefarther out with the digital beams 304-308 than the analog beam (e.g.,302).

In this example, the shapes of the digital beams 304-308 and the channelpattern 302 are semi-circular. Moreover, the digital beams 304-308 canbe formed to fit within the channel pattern 302. For example, thedigital beams 304-308 from channel 102 are digitally formed/steeredwithin different regions of the different shapes in the channel pattern302, the digital beams 304-308 from the channel 104 are digitallyformed/steered within different regions of the different shapes in thechannel pattern 302, and the digital beams 304-308 from the channel 106are digitally formed/steered within yet different regions of thedifferent shapes in the channel pattern 302.

Moreover, the digital beams 304-308 can be directed towards differenttargets such as intended targets, unwanted targets, sources of noise orinterference, etc. For example, digital beams 304 can represent nullsdirected to sources of interference or noise through digital nullsteering, digital beams 306 can represent beams digitally steered towardintended targets such as an aircraft or any other object, and digitalbeams 308 can represent beams digital steered toward unwanted targets(e.g., an unwanted aircraft or any other unwanted object) or differentintended targets.

FIG. 4 illustrates example patterns generated by the multi-channel RXarray system 100. In this example, the multi-channel RX array system 100can generate a channel pattern 400 formed by analog beamforming, anddigital beams 402 and 404 representing different beam patterns generatedby digital beamforming using multiple channels (e.g., 102, 104, 106).The channel pattern 400 can represent an analog beam or sum beamgenerated by one or more channels (e.g., 102, 104, 106) in themulti-channel RX array system 100.

As illustrated in this example, the digital beams 402 and 404 aresteered in different directions within the channel pattern 400 andtowards different targets. For example, digital beam 402 is formed at aparticular time within the channel pattern 400 and digitally steeredtoward a first target 406. Moreover, digital beam 406 is formed at agiven time within the channel pattern 400 and digitally steered toward asecond target 410, and digital beam 404 is a null formed at a particulartime within the channel pattern 400 and digital steered (e.g., viadigital null steering) toward a source of noise/interference 408.)

The multiple channels (e.g., 102, 104, 106), the channel pattern 400,and the digital beams 402, 404 allow the multi-channel RX array system100 to operate in clutter, nulling out clutter (e.g., 408) that appearswithin the same or similar range and/or doppler bins as a target ofinterest and allowing the signal for the target of interest to remainclean.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example configuration 500 of a TX array system 502for steering and transmitting signals. The TX array system 502 cantransmit beams formed with a particular shape(s) and steered in aparticular direction(s). The transmitted beams can be reflected from oneor more objects and the returned signals can be received by themulti-channel RX array system 100.

In this example, the TX array system 502 can include a TX channel 504defined by a group of antenna elements 506A-N and a group of components(508, 510, 512, 514) for beamforming. The group of components caninclude, for example, LNAs 508, phase shifters 510, VGAs 512 and one ormore beamformer elements 514.

The signal from each antenna element 506A-N in the TX channel 504 can befed through a respective LNA 508. The LNA 508 can amplify or boost thesignal to a particular level to overcome any noise of the followingcircuits or components. A respective phase shifter 510 can performinvariable phase shifting or invariable time delay on the amplifiedsignal, and a VGA 512 can adjust the gain of the output from the phaseshifter 510 to compensate for variable losses. The resulting signalsfrom each antenna element 506A-N can be summed by a beamformer element514 to produce a beam 516 that is steered in a particular direction. Thebeam 516 can have a particular beam pattern having one or more specificshapes.

In some cases, the TX array system 502 can be configured to produce abeam pattern having the same (or similar) size and shape as the channelpattern (e.g., 204A-N, 302, 400) produced by the multi-channel RX arraysystem 100. Having the same or similar transmit beam pattern as thereceive beam pattern can ensure that all (or almost all) of the energytransmitted by the TX array system 502 is received back by themulti-channel RX array system 100. Moreover, gain can be maximized wheneach RX channel (e.g., 102, 104, 106) is matched to the TX channel 504.Accordingly, in some implementations, the TX array can have a similar orsame size and shape as the RX channels (e.g., 102, 104, 106) so thepower transmitted can be retrieved by the multi-channel RX array system100.

In some aspects, the transmit beam pattern (e.g., 516) can be configuredto be a wide beam in order to illuminate a large area. In some cases,the transmit beam pattern (e.g., 516) can be as wide (or similarly wide)as the channel pattern produced by the multi-channel RX array system 100after performing analog beamforming. Thus, the transmit beam 516 canilluminate a large area, which allows the multi-channel RX array system100 to scan over the large area to recapture any information from thatarea.

FIG. 6A illustrates an array configuration 600 of antenna elements 604.The array configuration 600 includes a perimeter 602 around an array ofantenna elements 604 to depict a resulting oval shape of the arrayconfiguration 600. The antenna elements 604 can be spaced within one ormore distances d of each other. In some implementations, the antennaelements 604 can be tiled to fit together without overlapping.

In other implementations, the array of antenna elements 604 can have adifferent configuration and/or shape, such as a square shape, arectangular shape, a circular shape, a semi or pseudo circular shape, atrapezoidal shape, or any other symmetric or asymmetric shape. Forexample, FIG. 6B illustrates another array configuration 610 of antennaelements 604 which includes a perimeter 612 around an array of antennaelements 604 to depict a resulting rectangular shape of the arrayconfiguration 610. The antenna elements 604 can be spaced within one ormore distances d of each other. In some implementations, the antennaelements 604 can be tiled to fit together without overlapping.

The array configuration 600 shown in FIG. 6A and the array configuration610 shown in FIG. 6B can be implemented by the multi-channel RX arraysystem 100 and/or the TX array system 500. For example, the arrayconfiguration 600 or the array configuration 610 can be used toconfigure the size, shape, arrangement, etc., of antenna elements in thechannels 102, 104, 106 of the multi-channel RX array system 100 and/orthe TX channel 504 of the TX array system 500.

Other array configurations are also contemplated herein. For example,FIG. 6C illustrates an example rectangular grid 615 depicting aconfiguration of antenna elements 604 in a four element rectangularchannel. The grid 615 illustrates a position of each of the four antennaelements 604 along a horizontal plane 620 (X) and a vertical plane 625(Y) and a spacing between the antenna elements 604.

FIG. 6D illustrates an example rectangular grid 630 depicting aconfiguration of antenna elements 604 in an eight element rectangularchannel. The grid 630 illustrates a position of each of the eightantenna elements 604 along a horizontal plane 620 (X) and a verticalplane 625 (Y) and a spacing between the antenna elements 604.

FIG. 6E illustrates an example rectangular grid 635 depicting aconfiguration of antenna elements 604 in a twelve element rectangularchannel. The grid 635 illustrates a position of each of the twelveantenna elements 604 along a horizontal plane 620 (X) and a verticalplane 625 (Y) and a spacing between the antenna elements 604.

FIG. 6F illustrates an example rectangular grid 640 depicting aconfiguration of antenna elements 604 in a sixteen element rectangularchannel. The grid 640 illustrates a position of each of the sixteenantenna elements 604 along a horizontal plane 620 (X) and a verticalplane 625 (Y) and a spacing between the antenna elements 604.

FIG. 6G illustrates an example rectangular grid 645 depicting aconfiguration of antenna elements 604 in a twenty element rectangularchannel. The grid 645 illustrates a position of each of the twentyantenna elements 604 along a horizontal plane 620 (X) and a verticalplane 625 (Y) and a spacing between the antenna elements 604.

FIG. 6H illustrates an example rectangular grid 650 depicting aconfiguration of antenna elements 604 in a twenty-four elementrectangular channel. The grid 640 illustrates a position of each of thetwenty-four antenna elements 604 along a horizontal plane 620 (X) and avertical plane 625 (Y) and a spacing between the antenna elements 604.

FIG. 6I illustrates an example triangular grid 655 depicting aconfiguration of antenna elements 604 in a four element triangularchannel. The grid 655 illustrates a position of each of the four antennaelements 604 along a horizontal plane 620 (X) and a vertical plane 625(Y) and a spacing between the antenna elements 604.

FIG. 6J illustrates an example triangular grid 660 depicting aconfiguration of antenna elements 604 in an eight element triangularchannel. The grid 660 illustrates a position of each of the eightantenna elements 604 along a horizontal plane 620 (X) and a verticalplane 625 (Y) and a spacing between the antenna elements 604.

FIG. 6K illustrates an example triangular grid 665 depicting aconfiguration of antenna elements 604 in a twelve element triangularchannel. The grid 665 illustrates a position of each of the twelveantenna elements 604 along a horizontal plane 620 (X) and a verticalplane 625 (Y) and a spacing between the antenna elements 604.

FIG. 6L illustrates an example triangular grid 670 depicting aconfiguration of antenna elements 604 in a sixteen element triangularchannel. The grid 670 illustrates a position of each of the sixteenantenna elements 604 along a horizontal plane 620 (X) and a verticalplane 625 (Y) and a spacing between the antenna elements 604.

FIG. 6M illustrates an example triangular grid 675 depicting aconfiguration of antenna elements 604 in a twenty element triangularchannel. The grid 675 illustrates a position of each of the twentyantenna elements 604 along a horizontal plane 620 (X) and a verticalplane 625 (Y) and a spacing between the antenna elements 604.

FIG. 6N illustrates an example triangular grid 680 depicting aconfiguration of antenna elements 604 in a twenty-four elementtriangular channel. The grid 680 illustrates a position of each of thetwenty-four antenna elements 604 along a horizontal plane 620 (X) and avertical plane 625 (Y) and a spacing between the antenna elements 604.

Having disclosed example system components and concepts, the disclosurenow turns to the example method for combining digital and analogbeamsteering in a channelized antenna array (e.g., 100), as shown inFIG. 7. For the sake of clarity, the method is described with referenceto the multi-channel RX array system 100 shown in FIG. 1. The stepsoutlined herein are examples and can be implemented in any combinationthereof, including combinations that exclude, add, or modify certainsteps.

At step 702, the method can include receiving one or more signals ateach of a plurality of groups of antenna elements (112A-N, 120A-N,128A-N), each group of antenna elements defining a respective channelfrom a plurality of channels (102, 104, 106). In some cases, receivingthe one or more signals can include receiving at least one signal ateach antenna element (112A-N, 120A-N, 128A-N) in each channel (102, 104,106).

In some aspects, the groups of antenna elements (112A-N, 120A-N, 128A-N)and the channels (102, 104, 106) can be part of a multi-channel RX arraysystem (100). Moreover, the plurality of groups of antenna elements(112A-N, 120A-N, 128A-N), the plurality of channels (102, 104, 106)and/or the multi-channel RX array system (100) can be part of a radarsystem or device.

In some examples, the group of antenna elements (112A-N, 120A-N, 128A-N)associated with each channel (102, 104, 106) can include at least twodifferent antenna elements. In other examples, the group of antennaelements (112A-N, 120A-N, 128A-N) associated with each channel (102,104, 106) can include more or less than two different antenna elements.

In some aspects, each respective channel (102, 104, 106) can include agroup of antenna elements (112A-N, 120A-N, 128A-N), phase shifters(e.g., 116A-N, 124A-N, or 132A-N) and amplifier elements (e.g., 114A-N,122A-N, or 130A-N and/or 118A-N, 126A-N, or 134A-N). For example,channel 102 can include antenna elements 114A-N, phase shifters 116A-N,and amplifier elements 114A-N and 118A-N; channel 104 can includeantenna elements 120A-N, phase shifters 124A-N, and amplifier elements122A-N and 126A-N; and channel 106 can include antenna elements 128A-N,phase shifters 132A-N, and amplifier elements 130A-N and 134A-N.

Moreover, each antenna element from the group of antenna elements(112A-N, 120A-N, 128A-N) can be associated with a specific phase shifterand at least one amplifier element. To illustrate using antenna elements112A-N in channel 102 as an example, antenna element 112A can beassociated with (e.g., can implement, can be electrically coupled with,etc.) phase shifter 116A and amplifier elements 114A and 118A, whileantenna element 112B is instead associated with phase shifter 116B andamplifier elements 114B and 118B and antenna element 112N is associatedwith phase shifter 116N and amplifier elements 114N and 118N. In somecases, the at least one amplifier element can include a low-noiseamplifier (e.g., 114A-N, 122A-N, 130A-N) and a variable-gain amplifier(e.g., 118A-N, 126A-N, 134A-N).

At step 704, the method can include steering, by each respective channel(102, 104, 106) and using analog steering, the one or more signals in arespective direction to yield a steered analog signal pattern. In somecases, the method can include steering each channel's (102, 104, 106)signal in a same direction using analog steering and/or beamforming togenerate a steered analog signal pattern.

In some aspects, steering the one or more signals can include, at eachchannel (102, 104, 106), applying, to each signal received at eachantenna element (112A-N, 120A-N, 128A-N) in the channel, a low-noiseamplifier (114A-N, 122A-N, 130A-N) associated with that antenna elementto yield a modified signal; at each channel (102, 104, 106), applying,to the modified signal, the phase shifter associated with the antennaelement in the channel to yield a second modified signal; applying, tothe second modified signal, the variable-gain amplifier associated withthe antenna element in the channel to yield a third modified signal; andperforming a summation of the third modified signal associated with eachantenna element in the channel to yield an output representing thesteered analog signal pattern.

At step 706, the method can include converting (e.g., using ADCs 108A-N)the steered analog signal pattern associated with each respectivechannel (102, 104, 106) into a respective digital signal (140A-N). Forexample, the method can include receiving the steered analog signalpattern associated with each channel and digitizing the steered analogsignal using an ADC (e.g., 108A, 108B, 108N).

At step 708, the method can include, based on the respective digitalsignal (140A-N), generating, using digital steering (e.g., via digitalsignal processing system 110), one or more steered digital signalpatterns (160), the one or more steered digital signal patterns beingsteered within the steered analog signal pattern associated with therespective digital signal (140A-N). In some cases, generating the one ormore steered digital signal patterns can include using the plurality ofchannels (102, 104, 106) to form and/or steer respective digital beamsin different directions. For example, channel 102 can be used to steer adigital beam in one direction while simultaneously using channels 104and 106 to steer other digital beams in other directions.

In some aspects, generating the one or more steered digital signalpatterns can include steering, based on the respective digital signalassociated with at least one of the plurality of channels (e.g., channel102), one or more nulls in one or more directions associated with asource of interference and/or an unwanted target, and steering aplurality of digital signals associated with a set of channels (e.g.,channels 104 and 106) from the plurality of channels. In some cases, theone or more directions can be steered at least partly within the steeredanalog signal pattern and the plurality of digital signals can besteered in one or more different directions associated with one or moretargets.

In some examples, steering the at least one of the plurality of digitalsignals and the one or more nulls can be based on data collected via atleast one of the plurality of channels. Moreover, in some cases, atleast a portion of the data can be obtained or collected from at leastone of the one or more signals received at each of the plurality ofgroups of antenna elements (e.g., 112A-N, 120A-N, 128A-N).

For example, the multi-channel RX array system 100 can collect data fromsignals received by one or more of the channels (102, 104, 106) and/orantenna elements (112A-N, 120A-N, 128A-N), and use the collected data todetermine where or how to steer one or more of the plurality of digitalsignals. The collected data can be used to identify potential targets,unwanted targets, sources of interference, clutter, potential directionsfor steering, characteristics of an area covered or illuminated by thesignals received by the multi-channel RX array system 100 and used tocollect the data, etc. This information can be used to tailor, finetune, determine, or optimize the directions and patterns of the digitalbeams.

In some examples, generating one or more steered digital signal patternscan include generating a plurality of steered digital beams (e.g., 160),where each of the plurality of steered digital beams is associated withone or more channels (102, 104, 106) and each of the plurality ofsteered digital beams is steered in a different direction within thesteered analog signal pattern.

In some cases, the plurality of channels can have a tiled arrangementsuch that all of the plurality of channels fit together within theoverall design without overlapping. In some implementations, at leastsome of the plurality of channels can have a circular shape, a partlycircular shape, a same shape, a tillable shape, a diamond shape, anelliptical shape, one or more different shapes, and/or any other shape.Moreover, in some implementations, the plurality of channels can includeat least three channels.

In some aspects, steering the one or more signals in the respectivedirection to yield the steered analog signal pattern can includesteering one or more nulls in one or more directions associated with asource of interference and/or an unwanted target, the one or moredirections being at least partly within the steered analog signalpattern; and steering a plurality of analog signals associated with aset of channels from the plurality of channels, the plurality of analogsignals being steered in one or more different directions associatedwith one or more targets.

Also, in some examples, steering the plurality of analog signals and/orthe one or more nulls can be based on data collected via at least one ofthe plurality of channels. In some cases, at least a portion of the datacan be collected from at least one of the one or more signals receivedat each of the plurality of groups of antenna elements.

In some aspects, the method can further include transmitting one or morebeams via a TX array system (e.g., 502). In some cases, the one or morebeams transmitted can be formed and shaped to have a same or similarsize, shape and/or pattern as the steered analog signal pattern so themulti-channel RX array system (100) can retrieve all or most of thepower transmitted by the TX array system.

The disclosure now turns to FIG. 8, which illustrates an examplecomputing system architecture including various hardware componentswhich can be implemented with a radar device, antenna system and/or anyother computing device to perform computing operations.

In this example, FIG. 8 illustrates a computing system architecture foran example computing system 800, including components in electricalcommunication with each other using a connection 805, such as a bus.System 800 includes a processing unit (CPU or processor) 810 and asystem connection 805 that couples various system components includingthe system memory 815, such as read only memory (ROM) 820 and randomaccess memory (RAM) 825, to the processor 810. The system 800 caninclude a cache of high-speed memory connected directly with, in closeproximity to, or integrated as part of the processor 810. The system 800can copy data from the memory 815 and/or the storage device 830 to thecache 812 for quick access by the processor 810. In this way, the cachecan provide a performance boost that avoids processor 810 delays whilewaiting for data. These and other modules can control or be configuredto control the processor 810 to perform various actions. Other systemmemory 815 may be available for use as well.

The memory 815 can include multiple different types of memory withdifferent performance characteristics. The processor 810 can include anygeneral purpose processor and a hardware or software service, such asservice 1832, service 2 834, and service 3 836 stored in storage device830, configured to control the processor 810 as well as aspecial-purpose processor where software instructions are incorporatedinto the actual processor design. The processor 810 may be a completelyself-contained computing system, containing multiple cores orprocessors, a bus, memory controller, cache, etc. A multi-core processormay be symmetric or asymmetric.

To enable user interaction with the computing device 800, an inputdevice 845 can represent any number of input mechanisms, such as amicrophone for speech, a touch-sensitive screen for gesture or graphicalinput, keyboard, mouse, motion input, speech and so forth. An outputdevice 835 can also be one or more of a number of output mechanismsknown to those of skill in the art. In some instances, multimodalsystems can enable a user to provide multiple types of input tocommunicate with the computing device 800. The communications interface840 can generally govern and manage the user input and system output.There is no restriction on operating on any particular hardwarearrangement and therefore the basic features here may be substituted forimproved hardware or firmware arrangements as they are developed.

Storage device 830 is a non-volatile memory and can be a hard disk orother types of computer readable media which can store data that areaccessible by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memorycards, solid state memory devices, digital versatile disks, cartridges,random access memories (RAMs) 825, read only memory (ROM) 820, andhybrids thereof.

The storage device 830 can include services 832, 834, 836 forcontrolling the processor 810. Other hardware or software modules arecontemplated. The storage device 830 can be connected to the systemconnection 805. In one aspect, a hardware module that performs aparticular function can include the software component stored in acomputer-readable medium in connection with the necessary hardwarecomponents, such as the processor 810, connection 805, output device835, and so forth, to carry out the function.

For clarity of explanation, in some instances the present technology maybe presented as including individual functional blocks includingfunctional blocks comprising devices, device components, steps orroutines in a method embodied in software, or combinations of hardwareand software.

In some embodiments the computer-readable storage devices, mediums, andmemories can include a cable or wireless signal containing a bit streamand the like. However, when mentioned, non-transitory computer-readablestorage media expressly exclude media such as energy, carrier signals,electromagnetic waves, and signals per se.

Methods according to the above-described examples can be implementedusing computer-executable instructions that are stored or otherwiseavailable from computer readable media. Such instructions can comprise,for example, instructions and data which cause or otherwise configure ageneral purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purposeprocessing device to perform a certain function or group of functions.Portions of computer resources used can be accessible over a network.The computer executable instructions may be, for example, binaries,intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, firmware, orsource code. Examples of computer-readable media that may be used tostore instructions, information used, and/or information created duringmethods according to described examples include magnetic or opticaldisks, flash memory, USB devices provided with non-volatile memory,networked storage devices, and so on.

Devices implementing methods according to these disclosures can comprisehardware, firmware and/or software, and can take any of a variety ofform factors. Typical examples of such form factors include laptops,smart phones, small form factor personal computers, personal digitalassistants, rackmount devices, standalone devices, and so on.Functionality described herein also can be embodied in peripherals oradd-in cards. Such functionality can also be implemented on a circuitboard among different chips or different processes executing in a singledevice, by way of further example.

The instructions, media for conveying such instructions, computingresources for executing them, and other structures for supporting suchcomputing resources are means for providing the functions described inthese disclosures.

Although a variety of examples and other information was used to explainaspects within the scope of the appended claims, no limitation of theclaims should be implied based on particular features or arrangements insuch examples, as one of ordinary skill would be able to use theseexamples to derive a wide variety of implementations. Further andalthough some subject matter may have been described in languagespecific to examples of structural features and/or method steps, it isto be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claimsis not necessarily limited to these described features or acts. Forexample, such functionality can be distributed differently or performedin components other than those identified herein. Rather, the describedfeatures and steps are disclosed as examples of components of systemsand methods within the scope of the appended claims.

Claim language reciting “at least one of” refers to at least one of aset and indicates that one member of the set or multiple members of theset satisfy the claim. For example, claim language reciting “at leastone of A and B” means A, B, or A and B. In other words, claim languagereciting “at least one of a first element and a second element” means afirst element and/or a second element.

We claim:
 1. A method comprising: receiving one or more signals at eachof a plurality of groups of antenna elements, each group of antennaelements defining a respective channel from a plurality of channels;steering, by each respective channel and using analog steering, the oneor more signals in a respective direction to yield a steered analogsignal pattern; converting the steered analog signal pattern associatedwith each respective channel into a respective digital signal; and basedon the respective digital signal, generating, using digital steering,one or more steered digital signal patterns, the one or more steereddigital signal patterns being steered within the steered analog signalpattern associated with the respective digital signal.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein generating the one or more steered digital signalpatterns comprises: based on the respective digital signal associatedwith at least one of the plurality of channels, steering one or morenulls in one or more directions associated with at least one of a sourceof interference and an unwanted target, the one or more directions beingat least partly within the steered analog signal pattern; and steering aplurality of digital signals associated with a set of channels from theplurality of channels, the plurality of digital signals being steered inone or more different directions associated with one or more targets. 3.The method of claim 2, wherein steering at least one of the plurality ofdigital signals and the one or more nulls is based on data collected viaat least one of the plurality of channels.
 4. The method of claim 3,wherein at least a portion of the data is collected from at least one ofthe one or more signals received at each of the plurality of groups ofantenna elements.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein each respectivechannel comprises a group of antenna elements, phase shifters andamplifier elements, wherein each antenna element from the group ofantenna elements is associated with a phase shifter and at least oneamplifier element, wherein the at least one amplifier element comprisesa low-noise amplifier and a variable-gain amplifier.
 6. The method ofclaim 5, wherein receiving the one or more signals comprises receiving asignal at each antenna element associated with each respective channel,and wherein steering the one or more signals comprises: at eachrespective channel, applying, to each signal received at each antennaelement, the low-noise amplifier associated with the antenna element toyield a first respective modified signal; at each respective channel,applying, to the first respective modified signal, the phase shifterassociated with the antenna element to yield a second respectivemodified signal; applying, to the second respective modified signal, thevariable-gain amplifier associated with the antenna element to yield athird respective modified signal; and performing a summation of thethird respective modified signal associated with each antenna element toyield an output representing the steered analog signal pattern.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein generating one or more steered digital signalpatterns comprises generating a plurality of steered digital beams,wherein each of the plurality of steered digital beams is associatedwith one or more of the plurality of channels, and wherein each of theplurality of steered digital beams is steered in a different directionwithin the steered analog signal pattern.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the plurality of channels comprises at least three channels, andwherein at least some of the plurality of channels have at least one ofa circular shape, a partly circular shape, a same shape, a tillableshape, one or more different shapes, a diamond shape, an ellipticalshape, and a tiled arrangement.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein thegroup of antenna elements associated with each respective channelcomprises at least two different antenna elements, wherein the pluralityof groups of antenna elements and the plurality of channels areassociated with a radar system.
 10. The method of claim 1, whereinsteering the one or more signals in the respective direction to yieldthe steered analog signal pattern comprises: steering one or more nullsin one or more directions associated with at least one of a source ofinterference and an unwanted target, the one or more directions being atleast partly within the steered analog signal pattern; and steering aplurality of analog signals associated with a set of channels from theplurality of channels, the plurality of analog signals being steered inone or more different directions associated with one or more targets.11. The method of claim 10, wherein steering at least one of theplurality of analog signals and the one or more nulls is based on datacollected via at least one of the plurality of channels, wherein atleast a portion of the data is collected from at least one of the one ormore signals received at each of the plurality of groups of antennaelements.
 12. A system comprising: a plurality of groups of antennaelements configured to receive one or more signals at each of theplurality of groups of antenna elements, wherein each group of antennaelements defines a respective channel from a plurality of channels, andwherein each respective channel is configured to generate a respectivesignal pattern based on the one or more signals, the respective signalpattern being steered in a respective direction using analog steering toyield a steered analog signal pattern; and one or more processingelements configured to: convert the steered analog signal patternassociated with each respective channel into a respective digitalsignal; and based on the respective digital signal, generate, usingdigital steering, one or more steered digital signal patterns, the oneor more steered digital signal patterns being steered within the steeredanalog signal pattern associated with the respective digital signal. 13.The system of claim 12, wherein generating the one or more steereddigital signal patterns comprises: based on the respective digitalsignal associated with at least one of the plurality of channels,steering one or more nulls in one or more directions associated with atleast one of a source of interference and an unwanted target, the one ormore directions being at least partly within the steered analog signalpattern; and steering a plurality of digital signals associated with aset of channels from the plurality of channels, the plurality of digitalsignals being steered in one or more different directions associatedwith one or more targets.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein steeringat least one of the plurality of digital signals and the one or morenulls is based on data collected via at least one of the plurality ofchannels, and wherein at least a portion of the data is collected fromat least one of the one or more signals received at each of theplurality of groups of antenna elements.
 15. The system of claim 12,wherein each respective channel comprises a group of antenna elements,phase shifters and amplifier elements, wherein each antenna element fromthe group of antenna elements is associated with a phase shifter and atleast one amplifier element, wherein the at least one amplifier elementcomprises a low-noise amplifier and a variable-gain amplifier.
 16. Thesystem of claim 15, wherein receiving the one or more signals comprisesreceiving a signal at each antenna element associated with eachrespective channel, and wherein steering the respective signal patterncomprises: at each respective channel, applying, to each signal receivedat each antenna element, the low-noise amplifier associated with theantenna element to yield a first respective modified signal; at eachrespective channel, applying, to the first respective modified signal,the phase shifter associated with the antenna element to yield a secondrespective modified signal; applying, to the second respective modifiedsignal, the variable-gain amplifier associated with the antenna elementto yield a third respective modified signal; and performing a summationof the third respective modified signal associated with each antennaelement to yield an output representing the steered analog signalpattern.
 17. The system of claim 12, wherein generating one or moresteered digital signal patterns comprises generating a plurality ofsteered digital beams, wherein each of the plurality of steered digitalbeams is associated with one or more of the plurality of channels, andwherein each of the plurality of steered digital beams is steered in adifferent direction within the steered analog signal pattern.
 18. Thesystem of claim 12, wherein the plurality of channels comprises at leastthree channels, and wherein at least some of the plurality of channelshave at least one of a circular shape, a partly circular shape, a sameshape, a tillable shape, one or more different shapes, a diamond shape,an elliptical shape, and a tiled arrangement.
 19. The system of claim12, further comprising a radar device, wherein the group of antennaelements associated with each respective channel comprises at least twodifferent antenna elements, wherein the plurality of groups of antennaelements and the plurality of channels are associated with the radardevice.
 20. The system of claim 12, wherein steering the one or moresignals in the respective direction to yield the steered analog signalpattern comprises: steering one or more nulls in one or more directionsassociated with at least one of a source of interference and an unwantedtarget, the one or more directions being at least partly within thesteered analog signal pattern; and steering a plurality of analogsignals associated with a set of channels from the plurality ofchannels, the plurality of analog signals being steered in one or moredifferent directions associated with one or more targets.